AMD EPYC 7552 vs AMD Ryzen 3 4100 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 3 4100 and the AMD EPYC 7552 occupy completely different tiers of the processor market, and the recorded benchmark data reflects this divide with absolute clarity. While both CPUs share the same fundamental Zen 2 architecture and 7 nm manufacturing process, their design goals are polar opposites. The Ryzen 3 4100 is a compact, entry-level desktop chip, whereas the EPYC 7552 is a massive server processor built for heavy multi-threaded workloads. In every single head-to-head benchmark recorded in the database, the EPYC 7552 dominates, often by a margin that is not merely a percentage point difference but a full order of magnitude in performance. However, the data also reveals a fascinating nuance in their positioning, as their aggregate benchmark scores are surprisingly close, placing them in similar percentiles relative to all other CPUs.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking conclusion from the head-to-head data is the absolute supremacy of the AMD EPYC 7552 in all six recorded Cinebench tests. The EPYC 7552 does not just win; it wins by a consistent performance delta of 80.8% in every single metric. This uniformity is remarkable, suggesting that the architectural advantages of the server chip scale perfectly across both multi-core and single-core tasks.

In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the EPYC 7552 scores 4919 against the Ryzen 3 4100’s 946. This means the EPYC is delivering roughly five times the rendering throughput. The single-core R15 test shows a similar ratio, with the EPYC scoring 694 versus the Ryzen’s 133. This is particularly telling because single-core performance is often considered a great equalizer between desktop and server chips. Here, the EPYC’s higher boost clock and more robust memory subsystem allow it to pull ahead by the same 80.8% gap, indicating that its per-core efficiency is not sacrificed for the sake of core count.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. The multi-core result shows the EPYC 7552 at 20496, dwarfing the Ryzen 3 4100’s 3945. The single-core R20 test follows suit, with scores of 2893 and 556 respectively. The R23 iteration, which is the most demanding of the three, cements the verdict. The EPYC 7552 achieves a massive 48801 in multi-core, while the Ryzen 3 4100 manages 9394. Even in single-core R23, the EPYC’s 6889 outpaces the Ryzen’s 1326 by the same consistent 80.8% delta.

These numbers tell a clear story. The EPYC 7552 is not just a multi-core monster; it also has a superior single-core implementation in this head-to-head comparison. The Ryzen 3 4100’s lower boost clock of 4.00 GHz versus the EPYC’s 3.30 GHz does not translate into a win because the EPYC’s architecture, likely aided by its massive cache and higher memory bandwidth, delivers more instructions per clock. The result is a clean sweep: the EPYC 7552 wins all six benchmarks, and the Ryzen 3 4100 records zero wins in this comparison.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher aggregate benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 4100 holds a higher average benchmark score of 14505, compared to the AMD EPYC 7552’s average of 14115. This is a narrow margin of roughly 2.7% in favor of the desktop chip.

Q: How do these processors rank compared to all CPUs in the database?

A: The Ryzen 3 4100 sits at the 69th percentile, while the EPYC 7552 is at the 68th percentile. Despite their drastically different core counts and workloads, they are nearly identical in overall standing.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth between the two?

A: The EPYC 7552 supports eight-channel memory, delivering a theoretical bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. The Ryzen 3 4100 uses dual-channel memory with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The EPYC provides four times the memory throughput.

Q: Does the Ryzen 3 4100 support ECC memory?

A: No, the Ryzen 3 4100 does not support ECC memory. The EPYC 7552 does support ECC memory, which is a critical feature for server and workstation reliability.

Q: What is the process node for both processors?

A: Both the AMD Ryzen 3 4100 and the AMD EPYC 7552 are manufactured on a 7 nm process node by TSMC.

Q: Are these processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: The Ryzen 3 4100 has an unlocked multiplier, allowing for overclocking. The EPYC 7552 has a locked multiplier, which is typical for server parts.

Where Each One Wins

The data indicates a total victory for the EPYC 7552 in raw compute benchmarks, but the context of the win is essential. The EPYC 7552’s wins are all in Cinebench tests, which are heavily reliant on sustained multi-threaded performance and high memory throughput. These are the exact conditions found in server, workstation, and content creation environments. The EPYC’s 48 cores and 96 threads, combined with its 192 MB of L3 cache and eight-channel memory, make it a dominant force for rendering, video encoding, and scientific simulations. Its 204.8 GB/s memory bandwidth ensures that data flows into the cores without becoming a bottleneck, a critical factor for large datasets.

The Ryzen 3 4100’s wins are not found in the head-to-head benchmarks, but rather in its aggregate standing and its intended use case. Despite having only 4 cores and 8 threads, its average benchmark score of 14505 is higher than the EPYC’s 14115. This suggests that in the broader database, which includes a mix of consumer and professional workloads, the Ryzen 3 4100 holds its own remarkably well. Its 69th percentile ranking versus the EPYC’s 68th indicates that for typical desktop applications, gaming, and everyday productivity, the Ryzen 3 4100 is a highly capable chip. Its higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz and unlocked multiplier give it versatility for users who prioritize single-threaded responsiveness and overclocking headroom.

In practical terms, the EPYC 7552 wins wherever core count and memory bandwidth are king. The Ryzen 3 4100 wins in scenarios where power efficiency, simplicity, and the price-to-performance of a desktop platform matter. The data does not show the Ryzen winning any benchmark, but it does show that it can compete in aggregate scores, which confirms the efficiency of the Zen 2 architecture at lower core counts. The EPYC 7552 is the clear winner for heavy lifting, while the Ryzen 3 4100 is the winner for a standard desktop workload.

Specification Differences

The specification sheet highlights the chasm between these two processors. The Ryzen 3 4100 features 4 cores and 8 threads, while the EPYC 7552 features 48 cores and 96 threads. This twelve-fold difference in core count is the primary driver of their performance disparity.

Clock speeds differ significantly. The Ryzen 3 4100 has a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The EPYC 7552 has a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz. The Ryzen’s higher clocks are expected given its lower core count and 65 W TDP. The EPYC 7552’s TDP is 200 W, reflecting the power required to feed its massive core complex.

The sockets are incompatible. The Ryzen 3 4100 uses AMD Socket AM4, while the EPYC 7552 uses AMD Socket SP3. They are not interchangeable. The memory support also diverges: the Ryzen 3 4100 uses dual-channel DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the EPYC 7552 uses eight-channel DDR4 with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth. The EPYC also supports ECC memory, which the Ryzen does not.

PCIe capabilities are another differentiator. The Ryzen 3 4100 offers PCIe Gen 3 with 8 lanes, while the EPYC 7552 offers PCIe Gen 4 with 128 lanes. This makes the EPYC vastly more capable for expansion, storage, and networking. The Ryzen 3 4100 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, whereas the EPYC 7552 is locked. Finally, the release dates differ, with the EPYC 7552 launching in August 2019 and the Ryzen 3 4100 launching in April 2022.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the Zen 2 architecture and use a 7 nm process from TSMC, but their implementation differs substantially. The Ryzen 3 4100 has the codename Renoir and is part of the 4000 series, while the EPYC 7552 has the codename Rome and is part of the EPYC 7002 series.

The transistor and die size data present an interesting contrast. The Ryzen 3 4100 has 9,800 million transistors on a 156 mm² die. The EPYC 7552 has 3,800 million transistors on a 74 mm² die. This seems counterintuitive, but it reflects the chiplet-based design of the EPYC. The EPYC 7552’s listed die size likely refers to a single chiplet, not the entire processor package. The Ryzen 3 4100, being a monolithic design for the desktop, integrates everything into a single larger die.

Cache configurations are wildly different. The Ryzen 3 4100 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The EPYC 7552 has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and a massive 192 MB of shared L3 cache. This 192 MB L3 cache is a key feature for server workloads, allowing large portions of working datasets to reside on-chip.

The memory controller is another architectural split. The Ryzen’s dual-channel controller is sufficient for a desktop, but the EPYC’s eight-channel controller is designed to feed 48 cores simultaneously. The EPYC also supports ECC, a feature absent on the Ryzen. The PCIe implementation differs as well, with the EPYC offering Gen 4 and 128 lanes versus the Ryzen’s Gen 3 and 8 lanes. The Ryzen 3 4100 has an unlocked multiplier, making it a flexible choice for enthusiasts, while the EPYC 7552 is locked, prioritizing stability and server reliability.

The Verdict

The verdict from the recorded data is unambiguous: the AMD EPYC 7552 is the superior processor in raw compute performance, winning all six head-to-head Cinebench benchmarks by an identical 80.8% margin. For any workload that can leverage 48 cores and 96 threads, the EPYC 7552 is the only choice between these two. Its 192 MB of L3 cache and 204.8 GB/s of memory bandwidth ensure that it can handle data-heavy server tasks, virtualization, and high-end rendering with ease. It is a server-class part, and the data reflects that.

The AMD Ryzen 3 4100, while not winning any head-to-head benchmarks, holds a higher average benchmark score of 14505 against the EPYC’s 14115. This indicates that for a wide range of general-purpose desktop tasks, the Ryzen 3 4100 is more than adequate. Its 4 cores and 8 threads, combined with a 4.00 GHz boost clock, make it a responsive and efficient chip for everyday use. Its 65 W TDP is a fraction of the EPYC’s 200 W, and its unlocked multiplier offers overclocking flexibility that the EPYC lacks.

Who should pick which? Users building a desktop system for gaming, office work, or light content creation should pick the Ryzen 3 4100. Its higher average benchmark score and lower core count make it a practical fit for single-socket consumer boards. Data centers, researchers, and professionals running heavily threaded applications should pick the EPYC 7552. The benchmark data shows a clean sweep for the EPYC in Cinebench, which is a proxy for sustained multi-core workloads. The Ryzen 3 4100 wins the aggregate score contest, but that is a broader metric. In a direct comparison, the EPYC 7552 is the definitive performance leader.